I tug my long brown hair into a golden claw clip to get it off my neck. My shirt is an old periwinkle one with paint stains that never fully came out, and my capri jeans are even worse. Tonight, I don’t care. Comfort matters more than appearances. I check the time for the fifth time. They should be here soon.
Heather glances at me over her shoulder. “You okay?”
I take a deep breath and lean against the counter. I had called her after they left the hotel in Portland. I told her everything. She took it...surprisingly well. “Yeah. I hope they agree to making some sort of plan.”
She pauses while cutting the crispy bread. “Are you prepared if they say no? Because they could, Ems.”
“Yes,” I whisper, and we both know I’m lying.
Heather sets the knife down and turns to me. “This isn’t like helping one of your clients process grief. These areviolent criminals. Dangerous people who you’re going to be fucking around with.”
“I know. But Jude…” My throat tightens. “Heather, he’s going to die. And Micah’s not far behind. If we don’t do something...they’ll never get out.”
Heather doesn’t hesitate after that. She steps forward and pulls me into the tightest hug she’s given me in years. “Okay,” she murmurs into my shoulder. “Then I’m in. Whatever you need.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, relief rushing through me hard enough to make me unsteady. “Thank you.”
“Always,” she says, pulling back and brushing her hoodie sleeve across my cheek. “But let’s get through dinner first. See iftheywant in.”
I laugh, and it comes out about as unsteady as I feel. We go back to cooking, chopping, and stirring. The quiet is actuallycomforting. It reminds me of when she lived with me for an entire month after I bought this cottage. I had a hell of a time getting rid of her because she loved it so much. Plus, living together in college was so easy, so it felt familiar and safe.
I suddenly jolt when I hear three sharp knocks rattle the front door. We both freeze, wooden spoon still in my hand.
Heather meets my eyes, her expression sober. “Here we go, babe.”
I wipe my hands on a dish towel, inhale once, steadying myself. And I walk toward the door.
“Hey, boys,” I say with a grin. The moment my eyes land on Jude, my heart spikes. The damn thing.
“Hey, blondie,” Micah sings to Heather, kicking off his shoes, already drifting toward her. "Also, hey, Em." It’s like he’s a completely different person from the other night, when I cried on his shoulder. I’ve seen the darkness he lives in.
And it’s brutal.
But here he is, smiling and sweet and loving on Nova.
Jude lingers behind him, stepping through the threshold and casually resting his hand on the small of my back. It sends a little shock through me. He used to touch me like that all the time without thinking. It’s crazy how much I miss that.
Heather fills bowls with my cheesy chicken and potato soup while I pour water into mismatched glasses. We all sit around my wooden dining table, and Micah digs in like he hasn’t eaten all day. Jude sits a little slower, knees brushing mine under the table, giving me a soft smile that hits somewhere low in my stomach. Not the brittle, strained smile from the doorway. Arealone. It feels earnedafter the weekend.
My chest tightens.
No more stalling.
I clear my throat, folding my hands in my lap. “Okay. So...I asked you both to come because I want to actually...um…” I exhale sharply. “We have to get you guys out.”
Micah’s fork stills midair. Jude’s eyes go alert, trained on me.
“I want to help you,” I continue. “Both of you. Away from Nolan, away from all of this. Permanently.”
Micah drops his gaze to his bowl, jaw working. Jude doesn’t move, but the air around him seems to shift. His eyes narrow as he stares through me, retreating into his mind.
Heather jumps in with her elbows on the table. “Do you guys know anyone who could get rid of the blackmail? Wipe it? Delete it? Whatever. Could one ofyouget close enough, maybe?”
The boys exchange a glance.
“You’re in the criminal underworld,” I lean forward, gaze clashing with theirs. “Let’s play like criminals, then.”
A ghost of a smile pulls at Jude’s lips.